312 A Sister's Worry (Winona)

Henry's finally asleep, and the house is settling into that sweet, quiet lull that comes after a long, hectic day. I recheck the monitor and tiptoe out of the nursery, closing the door softly behind me, and head downstairs. It's still surreal having Henry home, and part of me feels like I should be watching over him constantly, but the doctors assured us that the specialist equipment and nanny support would alert us if anything goes wrong.

The monitor screens are set up in the living and kitchen areas and our bedroom. But I am well aware I need to relax and let go a little as well. I'm not going to end up being a helicopter mom when the kid's sixteen.

It's bad enough now, I can't focus on my work and business right now. I'm going away for an extended time. Phillip needs support at work and I'm still getting hit with the awkwardness every time I see him. I have to make a choice soon.

Is it time to sell up my half and become a fulltime Mom?

But enough of that. Cass is here and she's had a wonderful time visiting Henry this afternoon. It's been! amazing having her here. With her budding chef schedule, she can't visit often.

"Hey," I say, walking over to pour myself a glass of water. "Thanks for helping get Henry settled. And the other kids too."

Cass glances up at me with a smirk. "No problems. I know how to handle kids, remember?"

I snort. "Sure, you do. The last time you babysat Abby alone, she ended up drawing on the walls with at permanent marker."

"She's a budding artist, what can I say?" Cass shrugs, her smirk turning into a grin. "In my defense I did think it was the tub of washable ones."

I sit at the island across from her, my mind flashing back to when Cass first got back from the hospital after the whole Cancun disaster. She seems better, healthier even, but I know her well enough to pick up on the undercurrent of tension between us. I'm hoping her addiction is back under control.

"So... How's life? Have you been coping okay since the Cancun ordeal?" I ask, trying to keep my tone light, but the words feel heavier than I intend.

"If you mean am I still a junkie? No, I'm good."

"I didn't mean that. I know you were worried about them having forced drugs into you."

1 was but I'm okay. It was easier than I thought."

"Even with your schedule?"

"I'm fine, sis. Chill."

"And Gabriel? Is he back?"

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Cass stiffens, her fingers tightening around her coffee cup. "Yeah. Why?"

"So you're still seeing him, like dating?"

She nods. "Sure are. Is that a problem for you?"

I glance away, trying to gather my thoughts. I don't want to start a fight, but I've been holding back for too long. "I'm just worried about you, Cass." Her

eyes narrow. "Worried about what, exactly?"

I sigh, setting my glass down. "You know Gabriel's family could be tied to all this... kidnaping mess. I don't trust him, Cass. I have this gut feeling that something isn't right."

"He's never had anything to do with his grandfather since he was born. Just leave him out of your conspiracy theories."

"Well, you were targeted in Cancun and that is no coincidence."

"Yeah I was but that was more because of Jayden than it was Gabriel."

"Just be careful Cass, you give your trust too easily."

Cass rolls her eyes, her expression turning defensive. "Newsflash, Winona, not every guy is out to screw someone over. Just because you've had your issues doesn't mean I'm going to get burned the same way."

1 bristle at her words. "This isn't about my issues. It's about you being safe! How do you even know Gabriel wasn't somehow involved in what happened in Cancun?"

Cass slams her coffee cup down, glaring at me. "Are you serious right now? How the hell do you know he was? Gabriel had nothing to do with that! Why the fuck would he want me kidnapped?"

"I don't know!" I throw my hands up, frustrated. "It just feels like too much of a coincidence. Someone set up you being in Cancun, your purse being taken and Gabriel was nowhere to be seen when they took you."

Cass crosses her arms, her voice biting. "If he's using me, what does he want from me? He doesn't need me for a green card, he doesn't need money, and he already has Brennan Industries. What is he gaining from me, Winona?"

I falter, knowing she has a point, but the unease still gnaws at me. "I don't know, Cass. But something's off, and I don't trust him. I just don't want you getting hurt."

She shakes her head, her jaw clenched. "Stop projecting your shit onto me. Just because you have issues with Jayden doesn't mean you get to transfer that onto my relationship. I'm not stupid. I'm not going to get pregnant and locked down with all this responsibility like you did."

Her words hit harder than I expect, and I take a deep breath, trying not to let it get to me. "I'm not saying you're stupid. I'm just trying to protect you. I love you, Cass."

"I know you do. But I'm not some helpless kid. I'm running my own life. Gabriel's been nothing but good to

me."

"If you trust him so much, why hasn't he explained what he was doing when you were kidnapped?" I ask, my voice low. "You were alone that night, vulnerable. Who set that up, if not Gabriel?"

312 A Sister's Worry

Cass's eyes flash with frustration. "You don't get it. He's a victim in all this too! He was getting messages from my phone while I was gone. He thought I'd left him, and he had no idea what happened until after the fact."

I open my mouth to argue, but then I see the hurt in her eyes. Cass doesn't believe me, and I don't have any solid proof to back up my gut feeling.

I hold up my hands, "you're right. I'm being intrusive. Anyway, I have enough crap to worry about right now, so you better have your shit handled." I grin at her to lighten the moment.

"I'm absolutely fine."